Singap Med J
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Anatomy has historically been a cornerstone in medical education regardless of nation or specialty. Revolution in the training of anatomy has been based on the lack of adequate instructors, cadavers and the general high cost of anatomy training. ⋯ The catchment of collecting cadavers has been increased to address the need for cadavers, with increased competition for this resource from other medical schools in Kenya. This article shares our experience at the Department of Human Anatomy, University of Nairobi, and presents arguments for the dissection course as a central tool for teaching macroscopic anatomy.
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A 58-year-old man presented to the emergency department with sudden pain and odynophagia after drinking water. The patient thought that part of his lower denture may have fallen into his throat. There was moderate tenderness over the lower anterior neck. ⋯ Recheck endoscopy showed a superficial mucosal laceration at 18 cm. Ingestion of dental prostheses is common among the elderly population. The role of imaging in the early detection of ingested foreign bodies, particularly nonradio-opaque ones, is discussed.
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This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes, and safety and efficacy of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (PPSF) in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures. ⋯ In this first local review, we have shown that PPSF is a relatively safe and effective technique for treating selected thoracolumbar burst fractures, and that it yields satisfactory results. However, its long-term outcome and efficacy need to be further evaluated.
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Cricoid pressure has been long used by clinicians to reduce the risk of aspiration during tracheal intubation. Historically, it is defined by Sellick as temporary occlusion of the upper end of the oesophagus by backward pressure of the cricoid cartilage against the bodies of the cervical vertebrae. The clinical relevance of cricoid pressure has been questioned despite its regular use in clinical practice. In this review, we address some of the controversies related to the use of cricoid pressure.